Ark Chess Player.

"Doctor, where are you looking?"

Amiya smiled, startling Lin Lu, who was a pervert, and made him look away.

She glanced at the kingslayer again, taking her action as a provocation, and silently noted it down in her mind.

Amiya said calmly, "Doctor, are you ready?"

"Yes, I've brought everything I needed."

Lin Lu nodded and inspected his equipment.

After taking Sonia... that is, Rhodes Island's new operator Winter to the infirmary, Lin decided to go to Rhodes Island's General Engineering Department after some contemplation.

This is absolutely not to be lazy, absolutely not.

Lin is a dedicated and pioneering individual; he's never even heard of the word "slacking off" in his life. He's purely focused on preparing for the upcoming trip to Lungmen. Rhodes Island never fights unprepared battles; behind every victory lies strong logistical support.

If Lin Lu didn't have the Noah Heavy Machine and the Ark Driver one night, would he have to run barefoot all the way from Rhodes Island to the upper city of Chernobog? Even if he could actually make it, it would probably be dawn by then, the kids would be dead, Zoya would be gone, and it would be too late.

Therefore, it is clear that Lin Lu's decision to go to Kroos was correct and wise.

—It's absolutely not because he's afraid of going back to the office and being bossed around by Amiya to do endless work, absolutely not.

"Kroos sincerely recommends the Lungmen Fun Tour Package, now priced at 20,000 Lungmen Dollars. Don't miss this opportunity!"

Lin Lu recalled the cunning merchant's energetic voice. The Blood Demon Girl hadn't rested for so many days, but she immediately perked up when money was mentioned.

The tranquilizer gun and its 24 tranquilizer bullets, a brand-new, 20-centimeter-long, sharpened carbon fiber straight blade, and three Fulton balloons that could not be recovered.

The reason it is described as non-recoverable is that the Fulton recovery system requires an accompanying aircraft with matching equipment; otherwise, after the Fulton balloon lifts people to an altitude of 300 meters, the balloon will drift aimlessly without a system for navigation.

It's like a trip you take on a whim, without a destination or plan, lost in the vast, boundless sky.

During this mission, Rhodes Island will not send any aircraft to Lungmen unless absolutely necessary. Besides revealing Rhodes Island's hidden capabilities, more importantly, unauthorized entry into Lungmen's airspace would be considered a military threat, a label Rhodes Island cannot afford.

Although Fulton's balloon recycling project lost its original purpose, Lin Lu still gladly purchased it—after all, he wasn't paying for it.

It will always come in handy.

The smile Lin Lu gave in front of Kroos made the unscrupulous merchant feel a chill run down his spine, as if he had done something wrong.

"The Noah Heavy Machine is damaged too severely. Considering it can't be repaired in the near future, I've prioritized readjusting the Ark Driver." Kroos held up the Ark Driver, her face grave. "Perhaps due to overload, some corrupted data has been back, making it impossible to format. Furthermore, given the contamination of your brain nerves during the Chernobog battle, there's a chance the Ark Driver's Mirror Originium Art device might not function as intended. Unless under special circumstances, please minimize overload cycles! Especially the Black Card and White Card; these two cards place a tremendous strain on your mental well-being! If one day you can't hold on any longer, I'm worried… you'll go berserk."

Lin Lu slowly closed his eyes.

He put his hands in his pockets, gently stroking the Ark Driver, recalling Kroos's hesitant expression.

According to information provided by Anemone, the Ark Drive had been severely damaged in the past.

By combining this with Kroos's words, we can expect to be able to deduce what happened.

...It's definitely not a good thing.

"PhD?"

"PhD!"

"Can you hear me, Doctor?"

"I heard it, I heard it."

Lin Lu replied, "What's wrong? Did you forget to bring your favorite pillow? Can't you sleep without a bunny pillow? How cute, Amiya."

"Hehehe, who's cute, Doctor... Ah, really, you didn't hear anything at all!"

Amiya smiled happily at first, but quickly realized she had been tricked by the Doctor. She puffed out her cheeks angrily and said somewhat unhappily, "The PRTS system has detected traces of the Reunion Movement! Reunion soldiers are heading towards the outer ring of Lungmen!"

Chapter 165 Hoshiguma

Longmen, an independent economic and trade city, has always been free and open to the outside world, creating a thriving and prosperous scene.

On December 23, 1096, after the Chernobog infected incident that shocked all of Terra, Governor Wei Yanwu of Lungmen received an important notification from the Foreign Border Bureau, which received numerous entry applications from Chernobog refugees.

Wei Yanwu, skilled in strategy, vaguely sensed that something was amiss. After questioning the refugees about the specific events in Chernobog, he astutely discovered the underlying political implications of the incident—a dangerous signal that could overturn Lungmen's autonomy!

Wei Yanwu immediately devised a countermeasure, strengthening patrols at every checkpoint in Longmen and setting up outposts.

Lungmen still welcomes people from all over the world to visit and travel, but Lungmen must be responsible for every citizen. This is a reasonable and legal measure.

As a result, the public security departments that Longmen publicly claimed to be responsible for displayed their full capabilities on this day.

The Lungmen Guard Bureau is a combination of Lungmen's police force and security department; it is centralized, ruthless, but effective.

Especially in dealing with the problem of rampant infected people caused by natural disasters, this is the Guard Bureau's specialty. The ancient and strict hierarchical system and stable selection and assessment ensure that the Guard Bureau can maintain stability while accepting fresh blood, protecting the city of Lungmen from foreign enemies and natural disasters when it travels between countries.

The person in charge of this operation was Chan Fai-kit, the head of the Lungmen Special Inspectorate and a senior superintendent.

Despite objections from others, Chen Huijie resolutely deployed almost half of the Lungmen Guard Bureau's personnel to this operation. They established quarantine stations at every city checkpoint with remarkable efficiency, ensuring the smooth and orderly execution of the emergency entry procedures. The resettlement of refugees, as well as the provision of food and medical assistance, were handled exceptionally well.

Since the day of the Chernobog incident, we have continued to receive reports of a large influx of Chernobog survivors.

These Chernobog refugees included some citizens fleeing in haste, some low-class vagrants drifting with the tide, and a number of aristocratic children. In addition, there were also some wanderers who had drifted away, taking advantage of the chaos and harboring ill intentions.

These homeless people astutely realized that the Chernobog crisis was actually an opportunity. After all, most refugees did not carry identification documents, and for these criminals who were trying to escape legal consequences, this was a great opportunity to enjoy city life again!

As a result, the workload of the Lungmen Guard Bureau increased dramatically, and they also frequently encountered riots. Some Guard Bureau staff members were even pelted with homemade Molotov cocktails containing high-proof alcohol, narrowly escaping injury or death. Fortunately, Wei Yanwu's "Emergency Response Act" was quite correct and timely, successfully preventing unrest and chaos from occurring.

To make matters worse, some of these refugees contracted Oripathy unintentionally during their escape.

The incubation period for Oripathy is about three to seven days, and generally does not exceed fourteen days.

During these days, it's hard to imagine whether these survivors, completely unaware that they are infected, might inadvertently spread the infection among the crowd.

To prevent a large influx of infected individuals into Lungmen and the resulting worsening and spread of Oripathy, Lungmen staff had to conduct intensive Oripathy quarantine checks on the public every day, registering survivors from Chernobog in batches and quarantining them for two weeks as part of a resettlement strategy.

Lungmen has prepared tents, each equipped with a heater, warm mattresses, and blankets to help refugees get through the cold winter. The temporary shelters also provide hot meals and clothing in accordance with international humanitarian guidelines.

Ensure that every survivor has access to food, clothing, shelter, and most importantly, safety.

The Lungmen Guard Bureau has fully armed guards patrolling the quarantine site every day, so they can handle any situation promptly.

Even so, some people were still dissatisfied. During the refugee quarantine, some aristocrats and troublemakers claimed they needed free accommodation at the five-star Lungmen Hotel, desperately requiring comfortable rooms with scenic views, and even attempting to demand high-end food and bottled water. They refused to drink tap water, not even water heated and disinfected by a water heater, and spread rumors that heated tap water was poisonous.

The Lungmen Guard Bureau understood the situation and quite amicably suppressed the dozens of rioters with armed force, driving them out of the city without even providing them with old-fashioned tents. So fond of five-star hotels? Go enjoy your five-star presidential suite in the wilderness! Nature welcomes you, and you can even drink pure, unprocessed water directly—take it or leave it.

Do you really think you're a Celestial Dragon? Still living in the dream of the old Ursus Empire? You're dreaming!

The guards of the Lungmen Guard Bureau were practically spitting at these people. What kind of time is this? Do they still think they're nobles?

Now, the city of Lungmen faces not only the survivors of Chernobog, but also the infected who have come from Chernobog!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

8:23 pm Cloudy, visibility low (10 km).

Longmen City outer berthing area, Luotizhou, foreign warship berthing area.

"The Reunion Movement, once an ineffective underground organization, has managed to stir up a world-shaking wave in Chernobog, a city under the control of the Ursus Empire. I don't care how you viewed these Oripathy patients before, whether it was denigration or discrimination, put that away now."

At the temporary operational location of the Lungmen Guard Bureau, a casually dressed, tall female police officer—a full 1.84 meters tall—shouted.

She had waist-length green hair and clear, mirror-like brown eyes. Her usually lazy and relaxed gaze was now gleaming with a cold light as she scanned everyone present.

“Inspector Hoshiguma, is it really necessary to pay so much attention to these infected thugs?” a Lungmen Guard officer questioned.

It wasn't just him; most of these elites had an indifferent attitude.

The Lungmen Guard Bureau is best at handling disputes involving infected individuals. In the past few days, they have been giving infected individuals a sense of superiority by scolding, driving away, and dragging away those who try to sneak into the quarantine area where ordinary people live, and by hitting disobedient infected individuals with their scabbards.

In a closed environment, individuals submit to authority and power, and those who possess authority and power exercise them without restraint. This phenomenon is unrelated to individual rationality, conscience, or personality. It is induced by a significant "de-individuation" in the roles individuals play.

Simply put, the officers of the Lungmen Guard Bureau have become arrogant during this period of external control.

"Listen up, everyone. I won't repeat myself."

Hoshiguma slammed her hand on the table, the thick wooden surface thudding almost as if it were about to crack. She shouted, “Whatever methods the Reunion Movement used, their successful invasion of Chernobog remains a fact. Could you, us, or the entire Lungmen Guard have done it? No! Since that's the case, stop putting on such an arrogant air and get serious! We're responsible for a crucial area for receiving tourists; many important facilities and transportation systems are located here. Nothing can be allowed to go wrong! Do you understand?”

"Yes, sir!"

Whether they were sincere or not, these officers responded loudly in front of their superiors.

Even so, some people still muttered under their breath, "He's just someone who got in through connections, what's so great about him?"

Chapter 166 The Outer Ring of Dragon Gate: Operation Begins

"report!"

Outside the temporary operations conference room in the naval berthing area outside Longmen, the voice of a communications officer could be heard.

Inspector Hoshiguma waved his hand and said, "Come in."

The Guardian officer in charge of communications met his superior's scrutinizing gaze, saluted, and shouted in a strong voice, "Report! The number of Reunion Movement infected individuals appearing outside Lungmen has roughly exceeded three hundred! The exact number is being monitored! Armed Reunion Movement infected individuals are continuously heading to Lungmen. Police officers who went to persuade them were violently attacked, and fighting has begun! Requesting backup!"

Hoshiguma's gaze was cold. She nodded slightly and said calmly, "Received. Continue the mission. Support forces will be arriving soon."

"Yes!"

The guards straightened their backs again, turned and left.

"Did you all hear that?"

Hoshiguma glanced indifferently at the Lungmen Guard elites who had previously been dismissive of her. As their expressions gradually turned serious, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

In the past, the Lungmen Guard Bureau would not have experienced this phenomenon of underestimating the enemy and becoming arrogant when facing them.

In pursuit of economic development, Longmen has also lowered its standards and made many changes.

The moral bottom line is constantly being dug down, and even elite agents in the special operations team have become corrupt.

The person Hoshiguma truly respects is not here at this moment.

The Reunion Movement's attacks were not only directed towards Lochte State, but they were also advancing towards the border crossings closer to the wealthy areas.

Under constant pressure from superiors, the leader of the Lungmen Special Inspectorate had no choice but to lead the Guard Bureau members to provide support. In reality, she could have done it all by herself, but how could the wealthy possibly understand her power? If Lungmen's development weren't inseparable from these rich people, Old Chen, with his temper, would have already lost his temper.

"You, and you, stay behind to guard and maintain order."

Hoshiguma raised her hand and pointed at the person who had raised the question earlier, as well as the person who was secretly muttering complaints.

As a demon, Hoshiguma's sensory abilities are extraordinary; when she's focused, she can hear what people inside a room are saying even through a wall. Their whispers sound like they're talking behind her back when she's concentrating.

Hoshiguma felt helpless regarding these young masters who were using the Lungmen Guard Bureau to gain experience for future career advancement. It was uncertain who would actually use connections to get ahead. She saw it all, but couldn't discipline them like she used to discipline her underlings. She could only hope that after this mission, she would have fewer encounters with them.

"Everyone else, you're all fully armed. Follow me."

"Yes, sir!"

Hoshiguma raised the Hannya triangular shield that had been lying in the corner. When she first took office in the Royal Guard, she had received no shortage of disdain from her superiors because of the Hannya. Later, Hoshiguma proved herself with her actions; this shield could be a weapon, and of course, she could be one too.

"set off!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Doctor, what did you say this afternoon? What if the Reunion Movement leads four hundred people to invade the outer rings of Lungmen tonight? And wipe out the Lungmen defense forces? Hmm?"

Amiya smiled and gently pried Lin Lu's fingers apart, pulling his index and middle fingers outwards.

"Ouch!! I was wrong, I was wrong, I will never jinx you again."

Lin Lu withdrew his hand, looking aggrieved, like a bullied child.

Amiya wasn't actually exerting any force; she was simply releasing her pent-up frustration. She hadn't expected the Doctor's prediction to come true again.

According to radar data from the Rhodes Island ship, there were 119 Reunion soldiers who attacked the Lungmen outer naval docking area alone, not to mention the Reunion Movement's attacks on the entire Lungmen outer ring. Even if all the Rhodes Island operators on board were to disembark, they would still be less than half the number of the enemy.

However, Lin confidently stated that he himself was worth a hundred, and the Kingslayers could barely hold their own against twenty, so they had the numerical advantage. "Amiya, you just need to cheer us on from the sidelines; leave the rest to us!"

Then Amiya broke his fingers.

"Doctor, please try not to display excessive force. This is Lungmen; we're here to discuss business, not to smash up doors," Amiya said helplessly. Of course, she knew the Doctor's strength, but many things couldn't be solved with pure force.

"I know, I know."

Lin Lu snorted and turned to look at the agents dispatched for this operation.

Amiya, CEO of Rhodes Island; Kingkiller, assistant commander of Rhodes Island.

Action Group A4, led by Nightblade, with members Ranger, Blackhorn, and Dulin.

Operational preparation group A1, group leader is Fen, group members are ko... Klose, Beagle, Hibiscus, and Flame Melt.

Including Rhodes Island military operations commander Lin Lu, there were a total of twelve people.

In terms of their class, the operators are capable of handling most missions. However, in reality, only Yato, Ranger, Blackhorn, Amiya, Kingslayer, and Forest Lawrence truly possess combat experience.